Kitchener to examine options for Victoria Park washrooms

Kitchener City Council will re-open to issue of building public washrooms in Victoria Park. (themightyquill/Wikimedia Commons)

Kitchener city councillors voted Monday to ask staff to research more potential sites for new washroom facilities in Victoria Park.

Earlier this month city councillors had rejected the plan for new washrooms because the lowest bid came back at nearly $565,000, well over the $400,000 the city had budgeted for.

Ward 1 councillor Scott Davey says this is due to two main factors.

"I think staff did sort of underestimate how much it would cost," said Davey. "The other issue is the heritage features such as upscale brick and more expensive windows, which some of us have an issue with because it's a washroom after all."

Federal grant money is available, but will only cover $200,000 of the project. And Ward 9 Councillor Frank Etherington says that money could be lost if construction does not start soon.

"There's a tight timeline in order to get that federal $200,000. We have to start immediately and we have to have building under way by next March."

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